Milton Planning Board Unanimously Approves Town's First ADU Under New Bylaw

MILTON -- June 3, 2026, Milton Planning Board approves town's first ADU under its newly enacted bylaw. The three-member panel, Chair Mary Paul, Secretary Cheryl Tugais, and Member Hal Hellmonger, voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a site plan for a detached, single-story 896-square-foot accessory dwelling unit at 1210 Randolph Avenue, the first application processed under the recently adopted bylaw. Architect Jim Chen of JCPT Architects, Quincy, presented plans for the structure, intended to house the applicant's grandmother on a conforming 20,000-square-foot Residence B lot with setbacks of 31 feet from the rear and 35.5 feet from one side yard. Planning Director Liz Manning recommended the board's approval decision be recorded at the registry of deeds to create an enforceable public record of the one-ADU-per-property limit; a formal written decision will return for adoption at the June 11 meeting. During public comment, town meeting member Deborah Felton urged the board to regulate short-term rentals, citing neighborhood complaints, and Connect Milton steering committee member Jessica McDaniel appeared to rebut what she called inaccurate statements about her civic engagement organization made at the board's April 23 meeting. Town Counsel Carolyn Murray of KP Law is scheduled to appear June 11 to discuss zoning recodification and potential short-term rental articles for fall town meeting, with a submission deadline the board believes falls around July 7.